THE WAR ON THE WEST COAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 3, 5 January 1869, Page 2

THE WAR ON THE WEST COAST.

It has now been ascertained that of the 13 men returned by Colonel Wbitmore as ' missing,' after the battle near Okotu-ku, oue was found iv the bush many days afterwarda, and the other 12 were tomahawked, taken into Tito-kowaru's pa, cooked aud eaten. Soui3 of Tito's people say that only four were eaten, but all agree as to the whole 12 haviug fallen into their hands, being tomahawked, and several of them eaten. We can hardly refrain from wishing that that foul deed may be avenged. — Wangauui Times, Deccember 24. Thirty native cavalry — men raised by Mr Booth — have been the means of causing an unpleasant embroglio which has already resulted in the refusal of the Wbanganui Volunteer Cavalry and the Kai Iwi Cavalry to proceed to Patea. It appears that about 12 o'clock on Thursday night, December 24, Colonel Lyons and Colonel McDonnell started from camp to make a tour of the Patea district, the Whanganui Cavalry leading. On reaching the Kai Iwi stream the natives were ordered to the front, and on passing our men gave ironic cheers. Captain Finnimore rode forward and told Colonel Lyon that his men, being the senior corps, considered that they were entitled to the advance post. Colonel Lyons said that his orders were that the natives should lead, and his" orders must be obeyed. The men, considering this an insulr, refused to proceed, and eventually both the Whangauui and Kai Iwi troops were ordered to return to their respective posts. Colonel Lyon and Colonel McDonnell went on with the thirty natives.